Our People

Adam Huckstepp BSc CIHT
Associate

Adam graduated from the University of Surrey in 2016 and had a short stint in sales before joining DHA in September 2017 as a Graduate Transport Planner. Working his way up through the DHA programme, Adam is now an Associate and helps support the training and development of our more junior transport team members.

Adam has worked on a wide range of development projects for both education and commercial developments. He has advised on the transport implications for developments via a number of documents including Transport Assessments and Transport Statements.

Born and bred in Kent, Adam is passionate about creating sustainable travel options in and around Kent whilst also looking how existing routes can be expanded upon, made more efficient and serve more people, rather then bringing in new routes which require significant subsidy and ultimately cost the Government and individuals (through tax) more money.

Some of Adam's recent clients include Fernham Homes, Pellings, Kier Construction and Redrow Homes.

Adam has a keen interest in classic cars, and restored a Mk1 Fiesta for his first car.

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Alex Hicken MRICS
Managing Director

Alex has worked at DHA for more than 15 years and became Managing Director in 2016. Alongside overseeing the day-to-day running of the business, he remains passionate about planning and development. He enjoys meeting clients, exploring opportunities, and advising on how DHA can help maximise the value of their land.

Alex Payne BSc MA
Associate Director

Alex joined DHA from Kent County Council in 2018 having worked on a number of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, Regulation 3 developments (e.g. schools) and minerals and waste planning and policy. He has a BSc (Hons) degree in Geography from the University of Southampton and an MA in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Westminster, which was sponsored by DHA.

Alice Day MSc
Senior Planner

Alice joined DHA in September 2022 after graduating from the University of East Anglia with a degree in Geography and International Development. After being at DHA for a year, Alice started her Masters in Town and Country Planning (Part Time) at London Southbank University, she is now entering into her second year and is beginning to embark on her dissertation project.  Alice enjoys combining the practical elements she has learnt at DHA with the theory involved in the Masters course.

Alice Hunter MA
Graduate Transport Planner

Alice joined DHA as a Graduate Transport Planner in September 2025.

She graduated from the University of East Anglia with a BA in Geography and International Development in 2024 and has recently graduated from the University of Kent with a MA in Uban Planning and Resilience in 2025 (RTPI accredited).

Alice is based in the Maidstone Office and works in Leon Shrewsbury's team.

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Amy Negus BSc
Planner

Amy joined DHA in September 2024, following the completion of her degree in Human Geography at the University of Kent. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Urban Regeneration at University College London.

Carleigh Westwell MTCP UDCERT
Associate Director

Carleigh leads DHA’s Design team, bringing together her expertise in planning and urban design to deliver high-quality, commercially viable and contextually responsive development schemes.

Charlotte Rowland BA (Hons)
Planner

Charlotte joined DHA in April 2026, bringing four years of planning consultancy experience with a particular focus on small-scale development projects.

Chester Field BA (Hons)
Associate

Chester is an Associate in DHA's Design team, and joined DHA in 2018 after working at a Kent based multi-disciplinary practice for 3 years, working on projects through all RIBA stages.

Chris Hawkins MRTPI
Director

Chris is a Director at DHA, leading one of the firm's residential planning teams. He specialises in the promotion and delivery of strategic residential developments, with a particular passion for creating sustainable communities that respond to local needs.

Chris joined DHA in 2014 after 14 years working in planning at two local authorities in Kent, bringing extensive public and private sector experience.

Since joining DHA, Chris has successfully led a diverse range of projects, including:

• Promoting large-scale residential developments.
• Securing the submission of a 2,500-home strategic development in North Kent.
• Representing clients at major Public Inquiries and Local Plan Independent Examinations.
• Managing planning applications ranging from householder proposals to major mixed-use schemes, including a 1,000,000 sq ft employment development, listed building regeneration, high-specification residential schemes, and town centre regeneration projects.
• Securing planning permission for significant commercial, healthcare, and community developments, including the Community Care Hub at Greensand Place, Coxheath.

Chris combines strong technical planning expertise with extensive experience navigating complex planning processes, helping to deliver high-quality developments that create lasting benefits for communities.

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Chris Smoker BEng (Hons)
Associate Director

Chris is an Associate Director at DHA and leads our infrastructure team and holds an honours degree in Civil Engineering.

He has 30 years' experience in various highways, drainage and infrastructure projects. During this period, Chris has been involved in the planning, design and construction of highway and sewerage schemes for residential education and commercial infrastructure projects in the public and private sector.

Before joining DHA, Chris worked for WSP Development, Hyder and CTP.

Some of Chris's latest projects include:

• Kent Medical Campus, Maidstone
• Berry Gardens, Linton
• Scania, Gatwick
• Romney Marsh Potato Company
• Marks and Spencer, Maidstone

Chris is integral to a number of our projects and you will always find him assisting his colleagues with their various queries on drainage and flood risk. 

When not at work Chris enjoys spending time with this family and his much loved dog, Rubix. 

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Dan Blake MRTPI
Senior Planner

Since completing the Royal Town Planning Institute and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors accredited MSc in September 2021, having being awarded a Merit, Dan gained his MRTPI and now works alongside Louise on a range of our London projects. 

Dan has worked on an array of projects, at all stages of the planning process, with recent highlights including:

• Development of an underutilised car park to enable the erection of temporary homelessness accommodation on behalf of Ashford Borough Council;
• An application for a replacement dwelling in the countryside;
• A Certificate of Lawfulness for Existing Use of a dwelling following non-compliance with a holiday let condition for 10 years;
• A written representations appeal relating to a refused retrospective planning application for the erection of a holiday let in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty;
• A hearing relating to 3no. previously refused applications for the erection of 7no. dwellings in the urban area of Gillingham; 
• An Inquiry relating to the erection of 7no. self-build dwellings in the countryside; and
• An Inquiry relating to the erection of up to 70no. dwellings adjacent to an urban area.

Dan continues to develop his knowledge of the UK planning system, particularly specialising in the intricacies of the London planning system and the appeal process.

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Danielle Lawrence MRICS
Director

Danielle joined DHA in 2014 with a BSc in Real Estate from the University of Reading, having gained relevant planning & development experience through a series of placements in both the public and private sector. She qualified as a Chartered Surveyor of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2016 and has since focused on developing her career in planning and development.

During Danielle’s time at DHA, she has been involved on a number of developments including the construction of a performing arts centre and boarding house at an independent school, the restoration and extension of the Grade II* listed Leas Lift in Folkestone, care homes and student accommodation schemes.

Danielle also works closely with a number of housebuilders to deliver large scale residential-led developments across the South East.

Alongside planning, Danielle leads our viability team who specialise in providing advice on affordable housing and planning obligations. This includes advising clients on the viability of development schemes, preparing application stage Financial Viability Assessments at the and leading negotiations with local planning authorities on a range of residential and mixed-use schemes.

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David Bedford MRTPI
Director

David has worked in the planning industry for 20 years in a mix of local authority and private consultancy roles. He has an Undergraduate degree in Urban and Environmental Planning and a Post Graduate Diploma and Master's degree in Town Planning. David's areas of expertise include Green Belt/AONB development and Local Plan promotion.

Some of his recent projects include:

• Securing consents for 45 homes at Copper's Lane, Matfield (AONB)
• Securing residential consent at Salts Farm Fawkham at appeal (Green Belt very special circumstances)
• Securing consent for the major commercial redevelopment of Preston Farm, Shoreham (Green Belt and AONB)

In addition David, with the support of Emma Hawkes, leads DHA's in house Graduate Training Programme to ensure our graduates are trained to the highest standards.

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David Harvey MRTPI PISEP
Director

David has worked on numerous industrial, commercial and energy projects as well as on large scale agricultural schemes and healthcare projects. He also regularly works on various scales of residential projects and mixed use schemes.

David has secured consent for three Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, comprising two gas fired Combined Heat and Power plants and an upgrade to an Energy from Waste facility. He has been heavily involved during his time at DHA in work on large manufacturing projects including a new paper mill in Kings Lynn and has secured consent for industrial and agricultural anaerobic digesters. David has secured planning permission for the NHS for student accommodation at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital for the training of new doctors and for an orthopaedic surgery barn theatre facility at the Maidstone Hospital.

Waste to Energy Facility - DHA Planning

Free Range Egg Facilities - DHA Planning

Pembury Hospital Accommodation - DHA Planning

Palm Paper - DHA Planning

DS Smith Projects - DHA Planning

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David Hicken MRTPI
Chairman

As Managing Director at DHA for more than 30 years, David led the business through sustained growth and diversification. In 2016, he stepped back from this role, handing over the reins to his son, Alex.

David now serves as DHA’s Chairman, overseeing the business while continuing to work closely with a number of long-standing clients—many of whom he has supported for nearly 40 years.

David remains deeply passionate about all aspects of planning, and the DHA team continues to draw on his extensive knowledge and experience.

Some of David's recent projects include:

• Vicarage Fields, Linton
• Sutton Road Development, Maidstone
• Kent Medical Campus, Maidstone
• Goudhurst Service Station
• Residential development at Upper Harbledown

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Ebony Barker
Receptionist

Her role includes welcoming visitors, managing bookings, and ensuring the front-of-house areas remain organised, professional and welcoming. 

Alongside her reception duties, Ebony regularly supports colleagues across the business with a variety of administrative tasks, providing assistance wherever it is needed.

She enjoys being a friendly and reliable first point of contact and contributing to the efficient operation of the team.

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Elizabeth Bryant
Executive Assistant

Alongside her EA role, Elizabeth also oversees event management and assists with the marketing and business development aspects of the business.

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Elizabeth Homewood
Finance Director

Elizabeth's career started in accountancy practice where she qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant. She oversees our Finance Team as well as assisting other Directors in a range of activities to support the day to day running of the business. 

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Ellie Parton MCIHT
Senior Transport Planner

Prior to joining DHA, she spent 4.5 years at another consultancy, where she gained extensive experience leading small to medium-sized residential, commercial, industrial and educational developments. During this time, she worked on a diverse range of transport planning projects, delivering tailored solutions for a variety of clients.

Ellie completed her CIHT-accredited MSc in Transport Planning and Management at the University of Westminster in November 2025. She is currently working towards achieving her Transport Planning Professional (TPP) qualification, with the ambition of progressing to Chartered status.

At DHA, Ellie leads a broad range of projects, with particular expertise in the preparation of Transport Assessments, Transport Statements, Travel Plans and Construction Logistics Plans.

Ellie is passionate about building professional networks and is keen to develop strong client relationships as part of her role at DHA.

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Emily Hallett MRTPI
Associate

Emily has a Masters' degrees in both Planning and Architecture and is a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

She enjoys working across the Planning and Design teams, inputting into both scheme layout and design as well as providing the planning management and support.

Emily works with a broad range of clients from large scale developers to individual landowners and is involved in a variety of residential, commercial and mixed-use development schemes.

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Emily Hopkins BSc
Graduate Planner

She is also studying part time at London South Bank University, working towards an MA in Urban Design and Planning.

Emily is based in the Maidstone office, working alongside Matthew Garvey on a range of projects.

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Emma Hawkes MRTPI
Associate Director

Emma has a BA Hons degree in Geography from the University of Birmingham, a Master's degree in Town and Regional Planning from the University of Sheffield and is a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Emma's most recent projects include:

• Ashford Infinity Project in Ashford town centre which includes an 18 storey tower, over 200 residential units and commercial floorspace; Infinity Ashford Case Study - DHA Planning
• New visitor centre, restored walled garden and relocated car park at Ightham Mote for the National Trust;
• Residential development in the AONB in Ashford Borough;
• Local plan promotion of a site for housing in Surrey.

In addition to Emma's day to day planning work, Emma is one of DHA's Mental Health First Aider and, alongside David Bedford runs our in house Graduate Training programme. 

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Eric Przyjemski BA (Hons)
Associate

Eric previously held the post of Senior Planning Officer at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and has over 20 years' experience in Town and Country Planning in the public sector, including Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, Sevenoaks District Council and Maidstone Borough Council.

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Gemma Lester MSc
Senior Transport Planner

Having graduated from UWE with a BSc in Urban Planning in 2020, Gemma went on to complete an MSc in Transport Planning at Cardiff University in 2023, alongside working within the industry in London.

Prior to joining DHA, she gained 3.5 years’ experience at an alternative consultancy.

Gemma has worked on a wide range of projects, including large-scale residential and commercial/industrial developments. She has strong experience in preparing Transport Assessments, Construction Logistics Plans and Travel Plans across the South and South East, London, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

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Gemma Turner BSc
Graduate Planner

She has a keen interest in the relationship between people, places and the environment, and is looking forward to learning more about the planning system. In particular, she likes learning about how sustainability is incorporated into everyday projects.

George Stow MCIHT MILT
Associate Director

George’s experience previous to DHA includes providing highways development control services for Medway Council and Kent County Council, advising London Boroughs on active travel and parking strategies as part of a major regeneration scheme, extensive junction modelling for a major new town centre development, and TRO/TMO engagement support on behalf of a major food retailer. As well as Transport Assessment, Statement and Travel Plan reports, George also brings to the team his experience with BREEAM input, Environmental Impact Assessments, Healthy Streets, Pedestrian Environment Review Systems, complex modelling analysis and S106 negotiations.

George is always available for a chat about any highways or transport matters for a site and can be found in the Gatwick office or by the coast.

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Grace Paternoster
Finance Administrator

Grace is an avid supporter of the charity, The Little Princess Trust, and over the years has donated over 30 inches of her hair to children and young adults who have lost their own hair through cancer treatments.

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Greg Filmer AssocRTPI
Associate

Since joining DHA, Greg has worked on a wide variety of major and minor projects across the residential, educational, industrial, and commercial sectors. He specialises in the delivery of residential-led schemes and strategic land promotion for regional and national housebuilders.

Greg is a member of the housing team and works closely with Danielle Lawrence.

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Hannah McLaughlin MRTPI
Associate

Hannah joined DHA Planning in early 2023 as a Senior Planner in our Gatwick office. She started her career in Manchester assisting with city centre regeneration projects, along with other major schemes including Leicester City Football Club’s new training facility.

More recently, Hannah has expanded her planning portfolio to include rural housing and commercial development and has experience in permitted development, lawful development and listed building consents.

Hannah has an integrated Master’s degree in Urban Studies and Planning from the University of Sheffield and has been a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute since December 2018.

As well as Planning, Hannah plays an integral role as a Mental Health First Aider at DHA supporting and signposting staff who are experiencing any issues in work or personal lives. 

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Hannah Young MRTPI
Director

With over 18 years of experience in both the private and public sector, Hannah works on a variety of projects with a particular focus on strategic residential-led mixed use schemes. Hannah recently managed the Strategic Sites and Delivery Team at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council to support the delivery of 6,500 new homes through the Local Plan and subsequent strategic planning applications.  Through her time at TWBC she has developed strong relationships with key stakeholders across Kent and Sussex, and provided lead expert evidence at the Local Plan examination.

Hannah has also spent over 15 years in consultancy at Lichfields and Iceni Projects. During this time, she has gained extensive experience of leading and managing large project teams on complex sites, including large scale town centre schemes, along with major residential, employment, education and leisure schemes. She is also experienced in advising on delivery strategies and has lead on planning applications for the strategic growth of new settlements encompassing between 2,000-10,000 homes.

Hannah provides a proactive and solution-driven approach, working collaboratively with the team to ensure the best outcomes for clients.

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Harriet Baker PgCert
Operations Director

Harriet oversees all projects within the business from facility improvements to IT and marketing. In addition Harriet coordinates all human resourcing across the business.

Some of Harriet's recent projects including the introduction of MS Dynamics 365 into the business, moving the filing system from paper to paperless saving the business both money and time, refurbing the office area of Eclipse House and managing the launch of our new website.

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Harry Langford
Transport Apprentice

"After a few years of working and studying, I decided that an apprenticeship was right for me. I made the right choice, and I'm very much at ease with my change in direction, despite not having a lot of prior knowledge of the planning sector. I have learnt so much so far, thanks to my great mentors, and I look forward to learning more with time and also my future prospects at DHA."

Harry's hobbies include engineering, sciences, literature, and music.

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Isaac Stringer MRTPI
Senior Planner

Isaac completed his degree apprenticeship in March 2025, having undertaken a part-time master’s degree in Town Planning at Anglia Ruskin University. He became a Chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in September 2025, having successfully completed the DA-APC route to chartership. 

He has experience with a variety of development types, including residential, commercial, and renewable energy projects, as well as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects like Sizewell C and East Anglia One and Three.

Isaac works in DHA’s Environment Team alongside David Harvey and Alex Payne, contributing to a range of projects including Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, comprising a large-scale solar farm and a lithium mine, a new anaerobic digesting plant, residential schemes, and wider support for colleagues across the company. 

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Isabella Mash BSc
Graduate Planner

Prior to this Isabella completed her undergraduate in BSc Geography with Applied GIS at the University of Exeter where she then worked briefly as a GIS technician for a housing company.

Isabella is based at the Gatwick office working alongside Jonathan Buckwell and Mark Bewsey and is eager to become a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

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Jack Harley MRTPI
Associate

Jack Karagoz MRTPI
Associate

When Jack started with us originally he worked alongside Jonathan Buckwell and Mark Bewsey in the Gatwick Office assisting on applications and providing advice to a range of clients with land and development interests in Sussex and Surrey.

Following a year and a half working at a London-based property consultancy, Jack re-joined DHA as a Senior Planner in early 2024. He is now based at our London office working on a variety of schemes across Greater London and further afield.

So far in his career Jack has worked on a number of major residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use projects with recent highlights including:

• Planning permission for the conversion of an underutilised industrial building to a state-of-the-art virtual film studio in the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
• A planning inquiry related to a major mixed-use development including two and a half thousand apartments in Barnet.
• Consents and permissions for extensive works to listed buildings in numerous central London boroughs including Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea.
• Change of use of commercial properties to residential uses in numerous central London boroughs including Islington and Camden.
• An application for the redevelopment of Redhill Station and 300 flats in several tall buildings.
• Planning permission for 18,000 sqm employment floorspace on a site in the Green Belt and high risk flood zone in Tunbridge Wells.

Outside of work Jack is a keen runner and cyclist, enthusiast of French and Italian cuisine, frustrated Arsenal fan, and avid traveller of European cities.

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James Marsh HND
Associate

James primarily works on site access designs, detailed layout reviews for planning applications and flood risk assessments.

Over the years he's worked on many schemes, including:

• Lyewood Farm in Boughton Monchelsea
• Updown Farmhouse in Updown, Deal
• Eureka Park, Ashford
• Stocks Road, Wittersham
• London Road SEN School

On the weekends, James enjoys spending time exploring restaurants and playing darts.

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Jessica Bache MSc
Senior Planner

Project Experience

Since joining DHA Planning, Jessica has worked on a variety of projects from brownfield redevelopment to commercial, industrial and residential projects. Primarily Jessica specialises in major and strategic planning applications and local plan promotions for SMEs, regional and national housebuilders.

Local Authority Caseload and Policy Work
Jessica also undertakes caseload and planning policy work for Local Planning Authorities. This has included preparing evidence to support the imposition of an Article 4 Direction at Medway Council.

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Jessica Collins MSc
Planner

She graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2023 with a First Class BSc in Geography, followed by an MSc in Urban and Regional Planning (RTPI Accredited), awarded with Distinction. She is now working towards becoming a Chartered Town Planner through the Licentiate Assessment of Professional Competence (L-APC).

Jess is based in the Maidstone office and has gained experience across multiple teams, initially working with Matthew Garvey’s team and now with Tim Spicer and David Harvey’s team, assisting DHA’s Environment Team.

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John Collins MRTPI
Director

John has a very wide range of experience from Green Belt/AONB/National park cases to suburban and tight knit urban environments. He has extensive experience of Enforcement related matters and significant experience of cases involving Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and other heritage assets.

John has acted as expert witness at numerous Public Inquiries and Hearings for a wide variety of schemes and works on a diverse range of scale and type of proposals.

Some of John's recent projects include:

• Mixed use scheme for a secondary school, 100+ housing units and conversion and extension of a Grade 1 Listed Barn to form a wedding venue in Medway.
• An application for a contractors compound for preparatory works for the Lower Thames Crossing in Thurrock.
• A new winery and associated facilities in Sussex.
• Hearing for Allowed scheme of 7 dwellings on a site with two previously dismissed appeals.
• Change of use of 5 acre site in Broxbourne to Car sales.
• Outline scheme for 9 acres of commercial use at Aldermaston.
• Creation of a Nature Reserve and Water sports venue ,with associated floating and land based holiday units on a Green Belt site in Medway.
• Works to a Grade 1 listed house in Keston.
• Conversion of farm building in Bishopstone to artists studios.
• Works to change the use and create padel tennis courts in Chart Sutton and Ditton.
• Extension of Listed House near Henley.
• Appeal for a helicopter hanger near Maidstone Kent.
• Numerous applications for conversion of farm buildings to residential and holiday let uses.
• Certificates of Lawfulness for non-compliance with conditions and for various uses.
• Strategic representations on various emerging Local Plans

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Jonathan Buckwell MRTPI PISEP
Director

Prior to joining DHA, he worked with Hepher Dixon (now Savills) in Milton Keynes and London, contributing to major regeneration projects, including the Emirates Stadium.

Julie Thorne
Credit Controller

She previously worked at UBM plc, where she started in the Accounts Payable team and had an opportunity to "dip her toe into Credit Control" and has never looked back! Julie later moved to Tes, where she worked for nearly 10 years and within that time she was nominated for and won several awards:

• 2008 & 2012 – WON PPA Credit Control Team of the Year
• 2009,2010 & 2011 – a finalist for Credit Today, Credit Control Team of the Year
• 2011 – a finalist for Credit Today. Credit Controller of the year
• 2012 – WON PPA Credit Controller of the Year

Fun fact! Following her wedding, Julie and her husband were one of the happy couples featured in the 2015/2016 edition of Kent Bride magazine.

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Katie Ficken MA
Graduate Planner

Katie is based in the London office. She looks forward to progressing her career with DHA and is excited to get involved in a range of projects.

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Kevin Chapman
Land Manager

Having worked in Residential Sales, as well as Commercial Sales and Acquisitions since 1996, Kevin has facilitated both large scale site allocations and purchases, along with small bespoke sites, which he has advised clients on potential values, along with taking some through the planning process with our team of planners.

He has worked in the land sector for over a decade and has a wealth of experience working with a cross section of landowners including Housing Associations, Privately Funded Investors/Developers, as well as Private Landowners and SME Developers. Kevin  can assist both Landowners and Developers to maximise land values by analysing planning policies, market conditions and offer tailored advice dependent on the landowner's requirements.

Kevin is experienced in working on longer term strategic option and promotion agreements as well as small scale bespoke sites, mixed use schemes including Care provisions and Commercial elements.

With his wealrth of knowledge on affordable housing he can provide market feedback in to design and layout, as well as links to registered providers in order to broker deals.

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Laura Fletcher-Gray MRTPI
Associate Director

Before joining DHA in August 2026, she was as a Town Planner with a national consultancy for 14 years.  Laura leads and manages a wide range of projects for national housebuilders, Registered Providers, SME developers and JV’s, with a focus on London and the South East. 

She has experience leading on planning applications, undertaking appraisals, appeals and representations for Local Plan promotion sites.  Laura has been involved in a number of appeals, including the management and preparation of evidence for public inquiries.  She has led multi-disciplinary teams to deliver schemes of all sizes from residential in the green belt to complex large-scale mixed-use regeneration schemes.

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Laura Jackson MA
Associate Director

Over the years Laura has been involved in a vast range of projects, including various applications and appeals, with her area of expertise now within the education sector and public houses.

She leads the entire portfolio of the planning permission and highway license business for DHA, involving hundreds of Public House sites throughout the UK.

Some of Laura's recent projects include:

• Greene King Portfolio
• Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School
• Hornchurch Leisure Centre
• New Live Fire Training Facility at Ashford Fire Station
• Dover Grammar School for Boys
• Major development at Mornings Mill Farm – Public Inquiry
• Cable Wharf Primary School

For the past 30 years, Laura has played hockey for Maidstone Hockey Club.  However, she recently hung up her astros and has taken up running instead.  She completed the London Marathon in April 2023 and the London Big Half in September 2023 and has plans to complete more races in the future.

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Lauren Sinden MSc
Senior Planner

Based in our Gatwick office, Lauren is currently working on a range of residential, commercial and education projects alongside colleagues Jonathan Buckwell, Mark Bewsey and Hannah Young.

With a strong background in preparing and coordinating major planning applications and appeals, Lauren was promoted to Senior Planner in January 2026.

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Leo Ashby
Transport Planner

He has since worked on a wide range of developments, with strong experience in the preparation of Transport Assessments, Travel Plans and Transport Appraisals within a mix of commercial, residential, and educational developments, as well as experience in junction modelling and capacity assessments, Active Travel Zone Assessments, and other areas.

Leo has also managed several Transport Feasibility Studies for schools as part of the Department for Education’s National School Rebuilding Programme.

Leo is an Associate Member of CIHT as of September 2025.

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Leon Shrewsbury CMILT
Associate Director

Leon developed transport planning skills through large masterplanning studies such as Meridian Water which looked to encourage mode shift away from car and towards active modes and access charging for Heathrow Airport, as well as working with clients such as the Centre for London on a road user charging study. He has also worked heavily with TfL and London boroughs on studies promoting healthy streets and the Mayors Transport Strategy and has experience managing multi-disciplinary projects through National Highways’ PCF process at Stage 0.

Leon has specialist technical knowledge in strategic modelling and spreadsheet analysis, but also has experience in GIS, rail franchising, and economic appraisal.

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Lizzie Withall MRTPI
Associate

She began her career as a Graduate Planner at a large, real estate consultancy, where she supported a diverse range of projects including work for country estates.

Since then, Lizzie has broadened her expertise to include strategic-scale developments and city regeneration schemes along the South East coastline. Her professional growth reflects a strong foundation in both the rural and urban planning sectors.

Lizzie became a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in 2021, following the completion of her Town Planning degree at the University of Brighton.

Outside of work, Lizzie has been living in Hove, East Sussex since finishing University and continues to enjoy all that the city has to offer.

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Louise Overton MRTPI
Director

She brings over 18 years’ experience in private consultancy, having previously worked at Pegasus Planning Group before joining DP9 in 2013. During her 12 years at DP9, Louise led and managed a wide range of large-scale and complex planning projects across London and beyond.

Luca Jackson BA (Hons)
Graduate Planner

Prior to this Luca completed his undergraduate in BA Human Geography with International Development at the University of East Anglia.

Luca is based at the Gatwick office working alongside Jonathan Buckwell and Mark Bewsey and is looking forward to progressing his career with DHA and building upon his knowledge of the industry.

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Mark Bewsey MRTPI
Director

Stemming from a background working in-house at housebuilders Countryside and Crest Nicholson, Mark has developed particular expertise in residential schemes across the South East. This has involved giving evidence at Public Inquiry and Examinations in Public, the formulation of major planning applications and the submission of Local Plan representations. Mark regularly leads large multi-disciplinary schemes and works with leading Counsel.

Recent projects have included:

• An appeal for 700 houses, a primary school, medical centre, community facilities and 8,600sq.m of employment floorspace in Polegate (Wealden District) for which Mark was the Planning Expert Witness including giving evidence at the Public Inquiry
• Achieving consent for 140 houses in Hastings on behalf of the modular housebuilder ilke Homes
• Achieving Reserved Matters approval and assisting with the implementation of a major strategic site on the edge of Maidstone
• The promotion of a major residential site through a Neighbourhood Plan, achieving an allocation for 360 dwellings

Key clients include Bellway Homes, Countryside, ilke Homes, Mactaggart & Mickel, Obsidian Strategic, Stonebond, Vistry and Workman. Mark is currently promoting major residential and mixed use schemes across Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

Aside from residential work, Mark has a wide degree of experience in Commercial and Educational projects, including sport and leisure related projects. Recently this has included advising on large commercial schemes across the UK and an office tower in Croydon.

Mark has been a full member of the Royal Town Planning Institute since 2010.

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Mark Presland MRICS
Director

Mark's experience covers a broad range of client groups, including Public Bodies, Local Authorities, Charities, Trusts, Housing Associations as well as Private Land Owners and Developers. His experience also covers a broad range of project types, from placing consented sites to structuring subject to planning agreements, options, promotions on larger strategic sites. These projects are primarily residential led, but also include Care, Retirement and Commercial sectors when appropriate.

Utilising his experience and detailed knowledge of the South East, Mark is uniquely placed to offer clients insight and market knowledge on how best to bring forward land for development and how to optimise land value.

"It is key for landowners to consider the big picture first, keeping an open mind, and considering all types of development in order to give the best chance of successfully achieving planning. I always like to offer my clients a range of alternative approaches, from offering detailed consultancy services that enable them to achieve planning themselves, to structuring agreements with trusted and experience development partners that can take the associated cost and risk that many would prefer not to take."

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Matthew Blythin MRTPI
Director

In his time at DHA, Matthew has worked on a wide variety of projects across all sectors including large scale estate regenerations, rural housing, Local Authority infrastructure projects and industrial schemes. He has also appeared as expert planning witness on behalf of clients at Public Inquiries.

Although working across all sectors and with a wide range of experience in his time at DHA, Matthew leads our education teams in our Maidstone and Leeds offices, and has overseen many applications which have secured permission for new schools and replacement school buildings across the country. He also has particular experience working with contractor and local authority clients on leisure and infrastructure projects, including new leisure centres and multi-storey car parks.

Matt is a keen cricketer and in to all things sport, including coaching the DHA-sponsored Roseacre Raiders! 

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Matthew Garvey MRTPI
Director

Matthew joined DHA in 2012 as a Graduate Planner, having previously worked at Kent County Council. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Geography and completed an MSc in Town Planning at the University of Brighton in 2014.

Matthew Marsh BTEC
Highways and Design Technician

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Matthew Porter BSc
Associate

Matthew was promoted to Associate in June 2026. 

He primarily works with David Bedford and Emma Hawkes on a variety of residential and commercial schemes across Kent, Sussex and South London and specialises in policy related matters including local plan promotion, housing supply issues and development within the Green Belt.

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Matthew Woodhead MRTPI
Director

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Miguel Cabling BA
Architectural Assistant

Born in the Philippines and raised in England from the age of 7, Miguel has since become accustomed to the acceptance and overwhelming support from friends, family and colleagues here in the UK. Living here for nearly 20 years, he is now familiar with British culture and the amazing architecture that this country provides.

During his time at DHA, Miguel has already picked up many techniques from his mentors, and hopes to continue to progress his career by learning from his colleagues' invaluable guidance and knowledge.

In his spare time, Miguel enjoys playing basketball and cooking Filipino cuisine.

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Nasim Ghadirzadeh MCIHT
Graduate Transport Planner

Before joining DHA, Nasim worked as a town planner in the private sector in Iran, gaining valuable experience across a variety of development projects.

At DHA, Nasim supports a wide range of transport and infrastructure schemes, assists with preparing technical reports, and enjoys participating in site visits. She has a strong interest in GIS and AutoCAD, using both to help deliver innovative solutions, and is receiving ongoing training to further develop these skills.

Nasim is a member of CIHT and a Licentiate member of the RTPI, with ambitions to achieve chartership through both professional pathways.

Outside of work, Nasim enjoys hiking and has climbed Mount Damavand, the highest peak in Iran. Always eager to explore new places, she loves discovering countries through their landscapes—especially from the highest viewpoints.

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Noora Koetje MSc
Planner

Prior to this Noora completed her undergraduate in BA Geography at the University of Manchester.

Noora is working at the Gatwick office working alongside Jonathan Buckwell, Mark Bewsey and Hannah Young, and is looking forward to progressing her career with DHA and building upon her knowledge of the industry.

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Olivia McGarrick BSc
Transport Planner

Olivia has contributed to a variety of large and small-scale projects for commercial and residential developments. Her role typically involves producing Transport Assessments, Transport Statements, and Travel Plans,  as well as serving as a Travel Plan Coordinator. 

Olivia also carries out transport modelling and has hands on experience in software such as Junctions 10, Linsig, CAD and GIS.

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Olivia Spittle MSc
Planner

With a Master’s degree in Spatial Planning, she is passionate about helping to create sustainable, well-designed communities.

Based in the Maidstone office, Olivia is excited to continue developing her career with DHA.

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Oonagh Kerrigan BA MA
Associate

Oonagh works in the planning team and is involved in a wide range of projects with a particular focus on residential and mixed-use developments. Some of her recent schemes include:

• Wises Lane, Sittingbourne
• Land at Church Road, Otham
• Eureka Park, Ashford
• Paddock Wood Community Centre

Oonagh was promoted to Associate in January 2025.

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Patrick Good MRICS
Associate

Much of this time has been focused on commercial assets located across London and the South East including Offices, Distribution and Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA).

Paddy spent 12 years at Avison Young, formerly GVA, working in both the Mayfair and City offices and was most recently a Valuation Director overseeing their PBSA team. Paddy has also held property roles in Kent at Sibley Pares and Strutt & Parker.

In addition to Valuation, Paddy spent 9 months on secondment with the Lloyd’s Real Estate & Housing team and is an RICS APC Assessor.

In his spare time Paddy is a keen road cyclist and scuba diver.

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Paul Lulham FCILT
Director

He provides advice to a range of clients throughout the UK to support the preparation of planning applications, Local Plans, transport strategies and the negotiation of developer contributions for transport infrastructure and services. He is also an experienced expert witness, having appeared at numerous Public Inquiries, Appeal Hearings and Local Plan Examinations.

Some of Paul's projects include:

• Millwall Football Club Training Ground and Academy, West Kingsdown;
• South East Maidstone Urban Expansion;
• Kent Medical Campus, Maidstone;
• Mole Valley Local Plan Transport Assessment;
• Hartopp and Lannoy Point estate regeneration, Hammersmith and Fulham;
• Chatham Waterfront and Mountbatten House, Chatham;
• Ledian Gardens Integrated Retirement Community, Maidstone;
• School of Science and Technology, Maidstone;
• Abbey Farm Primary School, Swindon.

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Paul Simmons
Senior Architectural Designer

With his architectural training and background specialist fields include listed buildings/conservation areas, agricultural building conversions and farmstead redevelopments. Involved on a wide variety of projects in the past, but notably the following projects and achievements during the past two years:

• Bespoke rural housing redevelopment North End Farm, Betsham & five farmsted style dwellings at Four Oaks, Headcorn
• Residential redevelopment at The Old Forge, Chart Sutton for three dwellings
• Equine related permissions for stables and sand school in The Weald of Kent
• Planning approvals for large scale local fruit producers and packaging operators
• Residential extensions to a grade II listed dwelling at Ivy House, Meopham
• Number of Q Class permissions including Spritzbrook, Collier Street and Little Hawkenbury Farm, Headcorn
• Agricultural and outbuilding conversions at Court House Barn, Sutton Valence, and Hopper Huts, Nettlestead Green
• Residential and Commercial extensions to Hillside Cottages, Fawkham and Frankies Farmshop, Staplehurst respectively

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Purdey Duncan MSc
Senior Planner

Since joining DHA, Purdey has been promoted to Senior Planner and has worked alongside John Collins and other Senior Consultants on a variety of planning application and planning appeal projects across the residential, commercial, tourism and leisure sectors.

Her experience includes enforcement cases and appeals – ranging from smaller householder schemes to larger and more complex Major projects. 

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Rebecca Crayford BSc (Hons)
Associate

Since joining DHA, Bex has been promoted to Associate and has worked on a variety of schemes across the educational, residential and commercial sectors.

Some of her notable projects include a new science building for Thamesview School in Gravesend, a new SEN School in Wembley, 7 new 100% affordable residential flats in Wandsworth and a replacement school block in Wombourne, Staffordshire.  

Bex is an instrumental part of the team Education team, leading and supporting Education projects around the country.

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Rebecca Hornsby MRTPI
Associate

Since joining DHA, Rebecca has worked on a wide range of projects for residential, mixed-use, retail and education developments. Her key experience and interest lies in residential-led developments and has experience providing planning advice and support on major housing led projects throughout Kent and the southeast. 

Rebecca has experience leading on planning applications, undertaking appraisals, appeals and representations for Local Plan promotion sites. Some of Rebecca’s recent schemes she has been involved in include:

• Land at Church Road, Maidstone and Crown Quay Lane, Sittingbourne for Bellway.
• Land at Archers Court Road, Whitfield and Great Grovehurst Farm, Sittingbourne for Pentland.
• Land at Lady Dane Farm, Faversham and Orwell Spike, West Malling for Fernham Homes.
• Land at Aylesham, Dover for Barratt and Persimmon Homes.

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Rebekah Davis BSc
Graduate Planner

She works across a range of projects throughout London and is based between DHA’s Kent and London offices.

Rebekah is looking forward to further developing her planning experience at DHA and working towards gaining additional professional planning qualifications in due course.

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Rob Smith MCIHT
Associate Transport Planner

Rob provides transport consultancy advice to a range of clients throughout the UK to support the preparation of planning applications, Local Plans, transport strategies and scheme development.

Some of Rob's recent projects include:

• Hartopp & Lannoy Point, Hammersmith and Fulham: Prepared the Transport Assessment incorporating an Active Travel Zone Assessment, Pedestrian Environment Review System, Cycling Levels of Service and Outline Construction Logistics Plan for a 134-unit accommodation block in Fulham.
• Tonbridge & Malling Active Travel Strategy: Carried out walking and cycling audits in line with Government guidance to inform the development of an Active Travel Strategy for the main urban areas of Tonbridge and Malling, Kent. Currently drafting the strategy in response to public feedback and the latest development proposals for the borough.
• London Borough of Bexley Local Plan: Prepared the transport evidence base to inform the development of Bexley's Local Plan including an analysis of the current network, potential changes during the plan period and the connectivity of planned site allocations.
• Residential Travel Plans: Currently coordinating the monitoring and review of travel plans across a range of developments in the south-east and supporting new residents with travel advice and incentives.

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Sam Boland MRICS
Development Surveyor

Sam works in DHA's Land team, assisting in the finding and selling of development land in Kent. This includes working on residual land appraisals and drafting heads of terms for different land sale structures. 

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Sam Cowdry MRTPI
Senior Planner

During his career, Sam has worked on a wide variety of projects, ranging from householder applications to large-scale developments in both rural and urban environments. His experience spans residential, industrial, commercial, and agricultural schemes, as well as community facility projects, giving him a well-rounded understanding of the planning process across different sectors.

At DHA, Sam works closely with Chris Hawkins and Jessica Bache, playing an active role in the delivery of residential schemes throughout Kent, helping to shape sustainable and vibrant communities across the region.

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Sammie Lai MSc
Planner

Sammie works in the London office and is currently working towards MRTPI accreditation.

Since joining DHA, Sammie has been promoted to Planner and has worked alongside her colleagues Louise Overton and Jack Harley on a variety of planning applications. She has experience supporting a wide range of planning projects across residential, commercial, education and leisure developments.  

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Sascha Wardley MRTPI
Associate Director

She has led multi-disciplinary teams to deliver schemes of all sizes from residential extensions in the green belt to complex large-scale mixed-use regeneration schemes.

Sascha is client-focused and commercially aware. She enjoys providing high quality planning advice and good customer service to a range of clients including landowners, developers, local authorities and housing associations. She is excellent at tailoring planning advice and strategies to client needs and aspirations and finding planning solutions to achieving these.

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Seth Tyler MRTPI
Senior Planner

Seth has experience in both the public and private sectors having worked for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Barton Willmore, now Stantec. His experience ranges from small-scale residential developments to helping to deliver strategic and large-scale residential and commercial developments. Seth’s experience also includes the promotion of sites through the local plans process.

Seth is currently working with David Harvey and Tim Spicer in the Environment team helping to manage, coordinate, and deliver planning applications across the energy, commercial and industrial sectors.

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Suzann Gravenell
Office Manager

Sue is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of DHA's reception and meeting rooms, and the general administration tasks within the office.

A great team player with a positive attitude, over the years Sue has built strong working relationships with colleagues and clients alike. She is passionate about her work and takes pride ensuring that the office runs smoothly and efficiently.

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Toby Andrews BSc ISEP
Technical Director

An experienced Expert Witness, he has represented clients in planning and enforcement inquiries on matters relating to contaminated land, controlled groundwater, indoor air quality and human health risk assessment. Toby has a broad technical understanding of all the major environmental disciplines and has a strong grasp of planning, EIA and related case law.

Major projects that Toby has coordinated and led environmental reporting include:

Bidder Street Data Centre (IXDS Ltd) 

EIA Project Director for a 77MW hyperscale data centre in Newham, London.

Stansted Airport Solar Farm (Manchester Airport Group)

Environmental compliance/reviewer for the build-out of a 14.3MW solar farm to support airport activities.

Riverine Centre (former Abbey Mill Chemical Works), Newham 

EIA Project Director and Geoenvironmental Lead for the proposed redevelopment of an urban 7ha industrial landfill for a large capacity mosque and residential scheme.

Al Thumama and Ras Abu Aboud Stadiums, Qatar (Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy) 

EIA project lead for the development of two 40,000 seat stadiums and surrounding precincts.

Botley West Solar Farm DCO (PVDP) 

EIA coordinator and technical reviewer for PVDPs proposed 840MW solar farm in Oxfordshire.

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Toby Hill BA
Planner

Toby is based in our Kent office and as part of his graduate rotation has worked alongside Matt Blythin's team and now John Collins. He is builidng up his knowledge and experience of the UK planning system and is a keen user of GIS.

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Tom Valek BA (Hons)
Senior Transport Planner

Tom has worked on a variety of Travel Plans and Transport Statements for a range of clients and projects such as residential developments and commercial developments.

Tom has just finished his Masters in Transport Planning and Management at the University of Westminster gaining a Distinction as well as being awarded the prize for Best Dissertation! Following the completion of his Masters, Tom was promoted to Senior Transport Planner in January 2025.

Tom has worked with a number of clients, to include Hyde Housing Association, Bellway Homes, Aylesford Heritage Ltd and Tilbury Douglas Construction Ltd.

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Zohaib Ashfaq BA (Hons)
Architectural Designer

With experience working across London, Essex, and Kent, Zohaib has been involved in and managed a diverse range of projects from initial concept through to completion. His experience spans small-scale residential extensions to large-scale housing developments, giving him a comprehensive understanding of projects at varying scales and stages. He is comfortable coordinating design development, liaising with clients and consultants, and ensuring projects progress efficiently while maintaining design quality.

Zohaib has a strong eye for design and attention to detail, with a particular interest in architectural visualisation and rendering. He uses high-quality visuals as a key communication tool, enabling clients to clearly understand and engage with design proposals from an early stage.

Outside of work, Zohaib maintains an active lifestyle and is a dedicated CrossFit enthusiast!

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